Chester County health inspectors cited two West Chester restaurants for refrigeration failures and food-temperature violations during Tuesday, Oct. 13 inspections.
Amore Pizza at 316 S. High St. and Carlino's Specialty Foods and Catering at 128 W. Market St. were among nine county establishments that drew violations that day, as MyChesCo first reported. The Chester County Health Department documented the findings.
At Amore Pizza, inspectors measured marinara sauce at 51 degrees in a two-door refrigerator, 10 degrees above the required 41-degree maximum. Employees moved the food to a working unit, and the restaurant was told not to use the broken refrigerator until it was repaired within seven days.
A walk-in freezer condenser was leaking water that froze into piles of ice on food, shelving and the floor. Inspectors gave the business 14 days to fix it.
The restaurant's hot water heater could not supply its dishwasher at the required 120 degrees. Water measured 94 degrees. Inspectors ordered the heater repaired or replaced within 48 hours.
At Carlino's, inspectors found prepared foods in a deli display case measuring between 47 and 56 degrees. The health department flagged the temperature issue as a repeat violation. Employees removed the food for cooling in a blast chiller.
A bakery walk-in cooler was running at 44 to 45 degrees, and inspectors barred the store from using it for temperature-controlled foods until repairs were completed. Tomato pie was being held at room temperature without documentation showing it could safely be stored unrefrigerated.
Additional findings at both locations included missing date labels on ready-to-eat foods and empty handwashing paper towel dispensers. Staff at both restaurants corrected some issues on the spot.
The health department noted that results reflect conditions at the time of inspection. Thirteen other establishments passed that day, including three in West Chester: Arianna's Gourmet Café on East Gay Street, The Pear on Brinton's Bridge Road and West Chester Pizza Cafe on West Nields Street.
Residents can file a confidential food-safety complaint through the Chester County Health Department or call 610-344-6225.
